Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-11

OF its citlzens, and now that we have In
the history of hanging an accumulation OF
evidence showing thst 80 far from being a
protection. the example OF the State taking
vengeance on the murderer by hanging,
educates the citizens in like spirit, one
towards azother, and causes an Increase OF
murders. let us unite In abolishing It and
leave vengeance 10 Him who bath said,
"Yengeance is mine. Twill repay"
Secondly. ask that thou wilt earnestly
consider "afew reasons for the abolition
OF capital punishment"
10 the sreciaf case before US sonic OF the
ablest lawyers OF this State, among them
our friend John W. Daniel (as reported
from Washington the other day) stated that
he could not have brought In verdict for
hanging on the evidence before that jury.
Many persons have expressed the cOnvic-
ton that " guilty Il was not proven, and
therefore there Is iustifable ground Tor
Executive clemency 10 commute the pun
ishment from the death penalty 10 i'm
prisonment for life.
| feel to plead with thee most earnestly
TO at least extend the time till after the
Legislature shall have met again, whether
il be two months or twelve months,
to afford those who, like myself.
believe capital punishment is against
the spirit Of our holy religion
to make an effort before the Legislature for
the abolition OF the death penalty in this
State, promising 10 devote myself to the
accumulation Of evidence IN detail from
the various States on this Continent and
Governments in Europe on this important
question.
Most noble Governor, II thou grant my
petition, no harm can come from the delay,
and feel sure much good will come Of 1t
whatever may be the final result. know
there are many Of our citizens who feel
With me ir,this matter.
May the Lord strengthen thee to do the
thing -, Is right in His holy SIGHT.
Thy friend and iellow-servsnt.
JOHN B. CRENsHAw.
Prayers for CIaverius.
Al the morning service Sunday Or. Pc
terkin, pastor OF 81. James church, read
the following prayer, which is contained
in that portion OF the Book OF Common
PRAYER called "FOrm OF Prayer for Vista
ion Of Prisoners"
40 Father OF mercies and God OF all
comfort, we fly unto Thee for succor in
behalf OF this Thy servant, who is now
day Of his calamity is at hand, and he Is
accounted as one Of those who go down
into the pit. Blessed Lord, remember Thy
mercies look upon his infirmities; hear
the voice Of his complaint; give him,
we beseech Thee, patience in this his
time of adversely and support under
the terrors which encompass him; set
before his eyes the things he hath done in
the body which have justly provoked Thee
to anger; and iorasmueh as his continuance
appeareth to be short amongst us, quicken
him so much the more by Thy grace and
holy spirit that he, being converted and re-
conelled unto Thee before Thy judgments
have cut him of from the earth, may at the
hour Of his death depart In peace and be
received into Thine everlasting kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
AT Moore-Memorial, DR.. Sprigp, rector,
read the following "prayer for condemned
prisoners:
so most gracious and merciful God, we
earnestly beseech Thee TO have pity and
compassion upon this person recommended
to our prayers, who now lies under the
sentence 81 the law and is appointed to
ole. Visit hin, o Lord, with Thy mercy
and salvation; convince him Of the miscri-
bic condition he is in by his Sins and wick
edness, and let Thy powerful grace produce
in him such a godly sorrow and sincere re.
pentance as Thou wilt be pleased to accept.
Give him q strong and lively faith In Thy
son, our blessed saviour, and maze it e.
itciual to the salvation OF his soul. O
Lord, in judgment remember mercy, aud
whatever sufierings he is 10 endure in this
world, yet deliver him, o God, from the
bitter pain OF eternal death. Pardon his
sins and save his soul for the sake and
merits Of Thy dear son. our blessed Saviour
and RCdetmer. Amen"